  | Elephant secret Author: Walters, Eric | |
| Price: $22.38 | ||
Summary:
Thirteen-year-old Sam and her father scrape by caring for rescued elephants until an offer comes through that may not only save the sanctuary, it may also restore an extinct species. Includes facts about woolly mammoths and cloning.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.70 Points: 10.0 Quiz: 199532 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 3-5 Reading Level: 3.80 Points: 16.0 Quiz: 72274 | |
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 04/01/2018 Gr 3–6—Samantha Gray is known as the "elephant girl." She lives with her Dad and takes care of the 11 elephants in her family's sanctuary. Raised close with the herd, Sam's ability to connect with the elephants transcends human understanding. In fact, she bonds and interacts with the elephants much better than she does with other humans; especially with her dad's new girlfriend, Joyce. A new elephant with anger issues arrives at the sanctuary and a beloved elephant gives birth to a baby named Woolly—who is not an elephant, but a woolly mammoth cloned from DNA. Walters' depiction of the bond that exists between Sam and her elephants is captivating. The elephants, who are presented as majestic and intelligent creatures with humanlike characteristics and rich emotional lives, will leave readers awestruck. Sam and her father's relationship is also craftily done, exploring the effects of grief and then the sometimes awkward transition as Sam's dad begins dating. Back matter includes a list of suggested reads about elephants, genetics, and the Ice Age. VERDICT A solid middle school title for those not quite ready for Eliot Schrefer's "Endangered" series but who appreciate heart-tugging human-animal friendship tales.—Stephanie Wilkes, Good Hope Middle School, West Monroe, LA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 07/01/2018 Thirteen-year-old Samantha and her father operate an elephant sanctuary in North America that is home to 11 Asian elephants, most rescued from private owners or circuses. A female, Daisy Mae, is pregnant by artificial insemination, financed by a secret partner, and excitement about the impending birth grows. With a month to go, something goes wrong and Doc Morgan can’t get Daisy Mae to stand. Incredibly, two large-animal vets arrive with a medical trailer to help. But where did they come from, and who sent them? To save the calf, they must sacrifice the mother’s life and perform an emergency C-section. Sam calls the baby Woolly, a name that is more appropriate than any realize. Walters interweaves his beautiful family story with a thorough description of elephant behavior—their intellect, compassion, and loyalty—and factual scientific possibilities of cloning an extinct species. To assure the book’s accuracy, he spent time with an elephant herd and conducted detailed research. A must-read for anyone with an interest in elephants and their welfare. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.
